CAN is working in partnership with Dorset Community Foundation to deliver this programme funded by NHS Dorset. This funding programme is for activities and services for adults (age 18+) across Dorset (including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole). The following grants were available:
- Up to £10,000 for a 6 to 12-month grant period (requests for smaller amounts are welcome)
- Up to £80,000 for a 2-year grant period (groups must be established for a minimum of two years to apply)
CAN offers enhanced support for groups applying to this programme; to check if groups are funding-ready, provide advice on proposals and how they fit with the fund priorities, and where additional guidance may be helpful e.g. how to measure outcomes.
The Community Wellbeing & Mental Health Fund supports local community groups that provide early assistance to adults experiencing mental health challenges. These non-clinical activities aim to improve well-being and resilience, reducing the need for formal healthcare. The fund complements the Access Wellbeing programme by expanding community-based mental health support.
Before fund distribution, Dorset Community Foundation and CAN delivered information events for prospective applicants, attended by over 200 organisations. An attendee said, “It was informative, engaging and humbling to meet such incredible people doing incredible things across the county.”
The CAN team helped more than 50 groups become ‘funding ready,’ and prepare grant applications outlining how they would effectively measure and communicate impact.
We are thrilled to be able to share the successful recipients of the fund. These groups will improve the lives of countless individuals in Dorset and demonstrate the transformative power of community-led initiatives delivering vital wellbeing and mental health services.
| Grants of up to £10K | |
| Group | Summary |
| Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support | Supporting people affected by cancer, specifically with its impact on their mental health & wellbeing, and providing peer-to-peer support and activities to improve mental health & wellbeing. |
| Emerald Ant | Nature Table, a creative programme designed for adults with mental health issues, to explore arts-based activities for positive mental health and wellbeing |
| Future Roots | “Growing for Growth” horticulture programme offering young adults with mental health issues, work-related learning and volunteering opportunities in a horticulture environment. |
| The HealthBus Trust | Contribution to a dedicated social prescriber to support patient-led non-clinical activities to improve the wellbeing and mental health of HealthBus patients. |
| Home-Start UK | Perinatal Mental Health support group ‘Mothers in Mind’, offering mums experiencing mental health issues a safe place of comfort and support. |
| Mudeford Wood Community Centre | Support sessions for adults experiencing stress and anxiety, including opportunities to access healing/alternative therapies, meditation techniques and arts and crafts. |
| Pavillion Dance South West | To develop and establish movement & wellbeing classes for people who are living with/at risk of developing a mental health condition. |
| Poole Waste Not Want Not | Social Supermarket offering a holistic approach to wellbeing – grant will support opportunities for adults to engage in supportive activities led by volunteers and offering personal empowerment. |
| The Absolute Music Trust | Regular song writing, music making workshop and activities for adults who suffer from poor mental health and who struggle with addictions – referrals from local treatment centre (We Are With You). |
| Wild and Free Therapy | Outdoors support sessions for parents of disabled children offering Surfing/ Wild swimming/ Paddle-boarding/ Mindfulness/ Beach yoga/ Grounding exercises/ Social time. |
| The Rendezvous Youth Resource Services | Weekly support groups and on demand 1:1 emotional wellbeing support sessions for young parents (18-25) struggling with their mental health. |
| Grants up to £80k | |
| Group | Summary |
| Access Dorset | Personalised occupation within a community setting for adults with disabilities and health conditions, that addresses isolation, encourages peer support and improves mental and physical health & wellbeing. |
| CoCreate Dorset | “Create: Connect” creative courses designed for people with mental health issues, supporting mental health recovery and promoting wellbeing and connections with others. |
| EDAS | Open access ongoing support service with timetabled activities to support mental wellbeing, working with vulnerable and isolated adults who are at risk of mental health decline |
| Home-Start Wessex | Volunteer-led support for parents of babies/young children who are under pressure, fostering mental health through 1:1 home-visits, group support & building vital community connections. |
| In Jolly Good Company | Varied activities to support older people and carers who are suffering isolation and who need to maintain and improve their wellbeing. |
| Options Wellbeing Trust | An Eating Difficulties Peer Support Network, encompassing groups, online forums, and community buddy programme. Replicates successful model delivered in Southampton. |
| Cherry Tree Nursery | Supporting expanded services for adults with mental health issues to engage in therapeutic horticulture activities and to find peer support, connectivity and volunteering opportunities |
| PramaLife | Enhancing the mental health of carers through peer support and a new preventative programme to empower carers to build their mental resilience and develop self-management techniques. |
| Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services (STARS) | Non-clinical wellbeing support for adults who have experienced sexual abuse, to include psycho-education, stabilisation, creative arts, activity groups, mindfulness and online resources |
| The Burrough Harmony Centre | Supporting delivery of core drop-in activities, 1 to-1 and group support for adults with mental health issues, at an established Mental Health Drop In / Community Front Room |
| The Horse Course | Equine-assisted interventions to embed resilience when talk-based support isn’t working & volunteering opportunities at the farm. The grant will support provision for adults suffering from mental health issues. |
CAN held a networking event for the successful grant recipients to meet, learn more about each other’s projects and make connections. It was also a chance to learn about Access Wellbeing and the ambition for people to get the right support, at the right time and in the right place. These groups are now part of the Access Wellbeing ecosystem. They will work with the Access Wellbeing Hubs and Wellbeing Coordinators to enable people to access the breadth of support.
We are incredibly proud of the work being delivered by the grant recipients. Their dedication and innovative approaches are making a significant difference in the lives of countless Dorset residents. Marie Pandolfo, CAN Grant Advisor for Wellbeing will continue to work closely with the funded groups to implement their projects and develop effective data collation tools and methods to measure impact.
CAN gather valuable insights into the challenges of delivering wellbeing and mental health services. This knowledge will inform future support and advocacy efforts and help build a stronger, more resilient voluntary sector.
Together, we can build a stronger, healthier Dorset for everyone. If any VCS groups in Dorset would like support delivering their services, contact hello@can100.org.
